David Gunkel, a professor of communication at NIU and author of “The Machine Question,” will discuss the social costs and benefits of unmanned systems. Abul Azad, a professor of technology at NIU, will discuss the development history of drones, their various designs, the technologies involved in creating them and their capabilities, possible uses, and benefits.

This event is one of NIU’s monthly STEM Cafés, in which community members hear brief, informal talks on cutting-edge research in science, technology, engineering and math and then get their questions answered by STEM experts.

For more information, contact Judith Dymond at (815) 753-4751 or jdymond@niu.edu.